CrowdStrike

CrowdStrike CEO: Details on Outage 22 July 2024

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CrowdStrike

CrowdStrike Incident Response Update

CrowdStrike continues to focus on restoring all systems as soon as possible. Of the approximately 8.5 million Windows devices that were impacted, a significant number are back online and operational.

Together with customers, we tested a new technique to accelerate impacted system remediation. We’re in the process of operationalizing an opt-in to this technique. We’re making progress by the minute.

We understand the profound impact this has had on everyone. We know our customers, partners and their IT teams are working tirelessly and we’re profoundly grateful. We apologize for the disruption this has created. Our focus is clear: to restore every system as soon as possible.

We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available and new fixes are deployed.

CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor Update Caused Windows System Crashes (July 19, 2024)

What Happened?

  • A routine sensor update for CrowdStrike Falcon on Windows machines caused system crashes and blue screens (BSOD) on July 19, 2024.
  • The issue was identified and resolved within an hour (between 4:09 UTC and 5:27 UTC).
  • This was not a cyberattack, but a logic error in the update.

Impact

Customers using Falcon sensor for Windows version 7.11 and above, who were online between 04:09 UTC and 05:27 UTC on July 19, 2024, may have experienced system crashes. Systems that downloaded the updated configuration during this time frame were at risk of a BSOD.

Resolution:

  • The faulty update has been rolled back.
  • Systems coming online after 5:27 UTC on July 19, 2024 are not susceptible.

For more information:

  • Refer to CrowdStrike’s official resources for detailed information and potential recovery steps.

https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/technical-details-on-todays-outage

Below update -till 19 July 2024

CrowdStrike assures its customers that a recent outage was not caused by a security breach. They identified a problem with a Falcon content update for Windows computers, leading to system disruptions.

The company understands the severity of the situation and apologizes for the inconvenience caused. They are actively working with affected customers to restore their systems and ensure continued service delivery.

A fix has been deployed to address the faulty content update. You can find the latest information about the incident and its resolution on the CrowdStrike website, the author’s LinkedIn posts, and other unspecified platforms. The company promises ongoing updates to keep their community and the industry informed.

Statement on Falcon Content Update for Windows Hosts

CrowdStrike issued a statement acknowledging a recent issue affecting Windows hosts protected by their Falcon software. They emphasize that this was not a security incident or cyberattack, but rather a defect within a single content update.

Here’s a breakdown of their statement:

  • The Impact: The faulty update impacted Windows hosts running the Falcon sensor, causing disruptions. Mac and Linux systems were not affected.
  • Resolution: They have identified and isolated the issue, deploying a fix to address it.
  • Information Resources: Customers can find the latest updates on the website, support portal, and official communication channels.
  • Customer Support: team is actively working with affected customers to ensure their systems are restored and secure.

For details of latest update- refer below link-

https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/statement-on-falcon-content-update-for-windows-hosts

Also read- Last statement from CEO George Kurtz – https://globalbuzznetwork.com/crowdstrike-president-ceo-provides-update/

“CrowdStrike on Recent Outage-George Kurtz, President & CEO of CrowdStrike Provides Update” 19 July 2024

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George Kurtz, President & CEO of CrowdStrike, has issued a statement regarding the recent outage caused by a faulty CrowdStrike update.

  • Cause of the Outage: A defect was identified in a recent content update for Windows hosts. This issue did not affect Mac or Linux systems.
  • Security Concerns Addressed: Kurtz emphasizes that this was not a security incident or cyberattack.
  • Resolution in Progress: CrowdStrike has identified and isolated the issue. A fix has been deployed, and customers are encouraged to refer to the CrowdStrike support portal for the latest updates.
  • Communication Efforts: CrowdStrike will continue to provide ongoing updates on their website. The company urges organizations to ensure they are communicating with CrowdStrike representatives only through official channels.
  • Customer Focus: CrowdStrike’s team is fully mobilized to ensure the security and stability of their customers.

Tech Glitch, Big Impact: How a CrowdStrike Update Disrupted Airlines, Hospitals, and More

Impact Across Various Sectors

A massive global technology outage on Friday disrupted airlines, medical services, TV broadcasts, banks, and numerous other businesses worldwide. This incident highlighted the fragile dependence of the global economy on specific software and the severe cascading effects when things go wrong.

Cause of the Outage

The outage was attributed to CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm whose software is widely used to protect against hackers and breaches. A recent software update from CrowdStrike appeared to be the root cause, leading to crashes in machines running the Microsoft Windows operating system. The ripple effects of this outage were felt globally.

Aviation Sector Hit Hard

At least three major U.S. airlines—American, United, and Delta—grounded all flights, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration. This incident followed a major outage at Microsoft, which had briefly grounded some flights the previous day. European airline Ryanair also experienced disruptions across its network, urging customers to check in at airports due to the unavailability of online check-in. Airports worldwide, including Hong Kong International, Sydney, Berlin Brandenburg, Schiphol, and Dubai International, reported significant issues. In Britain, Manchester Airport saw long lines as many check-in machines failed.

Emergency Services Affected

In the U.S., the outage affected emergency 911 lines in multiple states, according to the U.S. Emergency Alert System. People experiencing emergencies were advised to contact local police or fire departments directly. In Phoenix, emergency response systems were down, leading at least one hospital to divert ambulances to other facilities. In Britain, the National Health Service experienced a loss of computer system access across numerous hospitals and doctors’ offices.

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/business/money-report/cybersecurity-giant-crowdstrike-suffers-major-outage-affecting-businesses-around-the-world/3463706

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2024/07/19/major-global-cyber-outage-hits-airlines-banks-and-media-outlets-impacting-millions.html

Television Broadcast Disruptions

Many television broadcasters also reported problems. In France, TF1 and Canal+, two of the most-watched networks, were unable to air their programs. TF1 presenter Christophe Beaugrand-Guerrin noted on social media that a breakdown in the control room prevented live broadcasts.

Media Blackout: Viewers Left in the Dark

The media landscape wasn’t immune either. Television broadcasts, a crucial source of information and entertainment for many, were disrupted. Major French channels like TF1 and Canal+ were unable to air programs, leaving viewers in a state of confusion and frustration. Social media platforms buzzed with speculation as news of the outage spread, with some fearing a cyberattack. However, Michelle McGuinness, Australia’s National Cyber Security Coordinator, quickly moved to.

Lessons Learned: A Call for Collaboration and Resilience

The global tech outage serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of our modern world. A seemingly minor software glitch can have a ripple effect, impacting millions of people and causing significant economic losses. This incident underscores the need for:

Diversification in Technology Landscape: Diversification in the technology landscape to prevent reliance on a single vendor or platform that can leave entire sectors vulnerable.

Robust Software Development: Robust software development processes and thorough testing before rolling out updates, especially for critical infrastructure.

Building a More Resilient Future

Moving forward, fostering collaboration and transparency between cybersecurity firms, software developers, and governments will be crucial. Regular communication and coordinated responses can help mitigate the impact of such outages in the future. Additionally, continued investment in research and development to build more resilient technology infrastructure is paramount. The global tech outage may have been a temporary disruption, but it serves as a valuable lesson in our dependence on technology and a call for increased vigilance in an increasingly interconnected world.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/07/19/business/global-tech-outage/crowdstrike-outage-flights-banks?smid=url-share

Also read- https://globalbuzznetwork.com/crowdstrike-blue-screen-of-death/

What is CrowdStrike? ‘Blue Screen of Death’ – 19th July 2024

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Microsoft confirmed a global cloud service outage impacting Azure, Office 365, and logins for users in the US, Australia, India, and more. Down Detector showed issues with logins (59%), apps (22%), and OneDrive (19%). Airlines like Frontier were affected, experiencing flight disruptions.

Separately, a buggy CrowdStrike update triggered a Blue Screen of Death error for some Windows users worldwide, causing sudden system shutdowns. Microsoft clarified this issue wasn’t related to their outage.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/07/19/business/global-tech-outage/crowdstrike-outage-flights-banks?smid=url-share

Also read UPDATE -George Kurtz, President & CEO of CrowdStrike- https://globalbuzznetwork.com/crowdstrike-president-ceo-provides-update/

What is CrowdStrike?

CrowdStrike is a leading cybersecurity platform that provides comprehensive security solutions for both individual users and businesses. The platform employs a single sensor and a unified threat interface to deliver robust security measures. Its Falcon Identity Threat Protection is designed to prevent identity-driven breaches in real-time by correlating attacks across endpoints, workloads, and identity sources.

Recently, CrowdStrike faced an issue where a buggy update caused its Falcon Sensor to malfunction and conflict with the Windows operating system. This problem led to various disruptions for users relying on CrowdStrike’s services. Acknowledging the error, CrowdStrike stated, “Our Engineers are actively working to resolve this issue and there is no need to open a support ticket.” The company assured users that they would be informed once the issue is resolved, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining the integrity of their cybersecurity solutions.

In a related incident highlighting the vulnerabilities of cloud services, . This outage impacted a wide range of sectors, including airlines, banks, supermarkets, media outlets, and other businesses. The disruption underscored the significant consequences that can arise when critical infrastructure relies heavily on cloud services. It served as a stark reminder of the importance of reliable cybersecurity measures and the potential risks associated with cloud dependency.

Overall, while CrowdStrike’s recent update issue highlighted challenges within cybersecurity platforms, their proactive approach to resolving the problem reinforces their role as a key player in protecting against digital threats. Meanwhile, the Azure outage emphasized the broader implications of cloud service reliability for various industries.

https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/microsoft-outage-what-is-crowdstrike-the-service-causing-blue-screen-of-death-worldwide-437805-2024-07-19

What is the Blue Screen of Death?

The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is a critical error screen that appears on Windows operating systems when the system encounters a severe issue that prevents it from operating safely. This screen indicates a system crash and usually results in the computer restarting unexpectedly. When this error occurs, users are likely to lose any unsaved data. The BSOD typically displays a message such as, “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We are just collecting some error info, and then we will restart for you.”

While commonly associated with Windows, similar critical error screens can also be found on Mac and Linux systems. These operating systems have their versions of crash screens, indicating serious problems that require immediate attention and often a system reboot.

BSODs can be caused by a variety of issues, including hardware failures, driver conflicts, or software bugs. They serve as a protective measure, stopping the system to prevent further damage. Understanding the underlying cause of a BSOD is crucial for troubleshooting and resolving the issue to ensure the system operates smoothly and reliably. https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/microsoft-down-netizens-react-to-global-outage-with-hilarious-memes-437786-2024-07-19

Microsoft down: Netizens react to global outage with hilarious memes, This outage has impacted Microsoft’s Azure and Office 365 services worldwide along with US airlines